Gallium Defense, a Paris-based deeptech startup, has secured €7.1 million in seed funding to accelerate the development and commercialization of its software-defined radar technology for detecting unmanned aerial vehicles. The round was led by Keen Venture Partners and supported by 360 Capital, Omnes Capital, and Polytechnique Ventures.
The company has emerged from stealth with an ambitious mission: making drone detection systems accessible and affordable for critical infrastructure operators and military users across Europe. Founded in April 2026 by former Boston Consulting Group consultants, Gallium Defense is developing the GDS-10, an X-band AESA radar that can identify FPV drones at distances of up to 10 kilometers while operating at a fraction of the cost of conventional detection systems.
Technology and Market Positioning
The GDS-10’s competitive advantage lies in its use of telecom-grade components combined with software-defined architecture, a design philosophy that has successfully driven down costs in telecommunications infrastructure over the past two decades. By leveraging existing, proven components rather than developing custom hardware, Gallium Defense aims to establish a new cost paradigm for drone detection that could make widespread deployment feasible for airports, power plants, government facilities, and other sensitive sites.
The company plans to direct the newly raised capital toward multiple strategic priorities. The funding will support scaling manufacturing capacity, establishing supply chain partnerships, developing commercial operations capabilities, enhancing artificial intelligence components within the radar software, and conducting field demonstrations across European sites and NATO-allied nations.
Path to Market
Gallium Defense currently operates with a team of 15 employees and plans to expand to approximately 50 team members as it prepares for commercial operations. The startup has set an ambitious timeline, targeting early 2027 for opening orders from defense and critical infrastructure customers.
Alexander Ribbink, General Partner at Keen Venture Partners, commented on the investment: “Gallium Defense has the team, the industrial partners and the cost model to make drone detection a standard layer at every critical site — the kind of European capability our fund is proud to back.”
European Deeptech Context
Gallium Defense’s emergence reflects growing European interest in developing indigenous counter-drone capabilities. As unmanned systems proliferate globally and regulatory frameworks around airspace management evolve, security-conscious organizations increasingly seek reliable detection solutions. The startup’s focus on leveraging established component supply chains positions it to address this demand while maintaining operational resilience within European and NATO-aligned supply ecosystems.
The investment also underscores continued confidence among European venture capital firms in deeptech founders addressing security and infrastructure challenges, particularly when those solutions can be manufactured and deployed within European borders.